Predictors of compliance handwashing practice among healthcare professionals
Mahmoud Al-Hussami A C , Muhammad Darawad A and Iyad I. Almhairat B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Faculty of Nursing, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan.
B Al-Basheer Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
C Corresponding author. Email: m.alhussami@ju.edu.jo
Healthcare Infection 16(2) 79-84 https://doi.org/10.1071/HI11004
Submitted: 7 February 2011 Accepted: 5 April 2011 Published: 23 June 2011
Abstract
Background: Handwashing compliance among healthcare professionals is the most important recommended practice to combat hospital-associated infections. However, compliance rates with handwashing practices remain low, particularly among physicians.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the application status of handwashing information given within the context of infection control measures in practice areas; and also to determine the need for inclusion of more in-depth information about handwashing and identifying the predictors for handwashing compliance in relation to knowledge, behaviour, beliefs, and attitude by healthcare professionals.
Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey. The target population was all healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses and technicians, working in large acute-care hospitals in Amman, Jordan. However, medical and nursing students were excluded.
Results: The results showed a predictive model of five predictors which were significantly related to self-reported handwashing: beliefs about outcomes, attitude, referent beliefs, control beliefs and skin assessment. These factors have a comparable power in the prediction of self-reported handwashing. Attitude, control beliefs and skin assessment had relatively higher prediction effects (B = 0.406, P < 0.001), (B = 0.296, P < 0.000), (B = 0.523, P < 0.000), respectively, compared with intention (B = –0.233, P = 0.102) and years of experience (B = –0.078, P = 0.576).
Conclusion: The results of this study have important implications for improving healthcare professionals’ compliance with handwashing through continuous education for those providers to reinforce and educate them about the concepts of universal precautions and guidelines of infection control.
Additional keywords: compliance, handwashing, skin assessment, attitude.
References
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